- Drilling for gas by ConocoPhillips has been approved off the coast of Western Victoria.
- Gas drilling approval granted day after the Coalition states it would “bring on more gas by the bucket load” – which would bring new seismic blasting and gas projects.
- Endangered southern right whales face potential threats to migration routes from overlapping industrial activities – ConocoPhillips test drilling project and seismic blasting proposal by CGG.
- Victorian communities oppose seismic blasting and new gas are organising a Seismic Shift protest event in Warrnambool to call for a moratorium on seismic blasting for gas.
The day before news broke that a Dutton Coalition government would “bring on more gas by the bucket load”, US fossil fuel giant ConocoPhillips was given approval to drill for gas in two locations that overlap with the CGG seismic blasting proposal off the coast of Warrnambool, Victoria.
Australian Marine Conservation Society Fossil Fuels Campaign Manager, Louise Morris said “The multiple exploration projects off the coast of Victoria and Tasmania by CGG (proposing to seismic blast) and ConocoPhillips (proposing drilling) have been opposed by communities for years. These seismic blasting and test drilling projects overlap each other, and are in endangered southern right whale calving grounds.
“Over the past few years we have seen concerted community opposition to proposals for seismic blasting for gas off the coast of Victoria, and the PEP11 gas drilling exploration proposal off the coast of NSW. Significantly this has achieved wins with the largest seismic blasting proposal on record by TGS/SLB in Australian waters cancelled, and the PEP11 project withdrawn.
“For many years communities along the Tasmanian and Victorian coast have been campaigning against seismic blasting, which is the first step in fossil gas exploration. Again we see decision makers turning a deaf ear to the community who are calling for a seismic shift away from fossil fuels.
For almost a decade fossil fuel corporations have sought to unwind environmental protections and avoid paying tax, and have reaped taxpayer funded subsidies. This week we have seen the Dutton Coalition commit to faster fossil fuel approvals processes
“‘Faster approvals’ have previously been code words for cutting corners on protecting the environment, marine life and community consultation. Communities have already had a taste of what that looks like, with poor community consultation on the ConocoPhillips proposal, and the approval of a project that does not specify where it will be drilling our ocean floor,’ concluded Ms Morris.
On Saturday March 29 The Australian Marine Conservation Society and community organisations from across the Victorian west coast are hosting a day of community action to call for a Seismic Shift away from fossil gas, and seismic blasting, and an urgent moratorium on seismic blasting.
The Seismic Shift: End Seismic Blasting event will take place from 1pm on Saturday March 29, at the Logans Beach Whale Lookout.
Media Comment: Louise Morris 0474 489 798